Disneyland has scaled back operations for one of its oldest attractions. Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, first opened in 1956, will now only run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with hours ending at 5 p.m. The change comes during the park’s 70th anniversary year, when Disney has been juggling expansions, updates, and legacy attractions.
The canoes, located along the Rivers of America in Bayou Country — the renamed land that replaced Critter Country with the debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — give guests a chance to paddle through the park’s waterways. Disney advertises the ride with “charming surprises” as visitors “discover the wonders of the last great frontier!”
From Daily Ride to Seasonal Offering
For now, the attraction’s availability is limited to weekends, though it will return to daily operation beginning the week of October 6.
Disneyland’s website notes, “Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes operates seasonally, may close due to inclement weather and is only open during certain times of day.” That makes any long-term schedule subject to change.
The attraction has long been one of the park’s more unusual staples — powered entirely by guest paddling rather than relying on impressive animatronics or elaborate track systems to impress. Similar rides exist at Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland, but versions at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris closed years ago. Anaheim’s canoes remain one of the last of their kind.
Nostalgia Meets Criticism
Despite its nostalgic status, the canoes have not been immune to scrutiny. In 2022, a Native American TikToker criticized a teepee display featured on the route. “I was confused on why my [people] were put up on display at Disneyland lol,” the TikToker wrote in a now-deleted video, sparking debate over outdated cultural depictions at Disney parks.
As Disneyland continues celebrating its milestone year with new investments and expansions, the reduced hours for Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes underline the park’s broader challenge: balancing nostalgia with demand and cultural relevance. For now, the attraction still offers guests a hands-on reminder of Disneyland’s earliest days.
Have you ever experienced Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes?
